plate no. 9885
Carlos Drummond de Andrade
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering subtle tonal variations in skin tones. It also provides practice in painting fabric and clothing.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of neutral color.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin, suit, tie, and background.
- step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Develop the details of the suit and tie, capturing the folds and textures.
- step 06
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the figure.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and details.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · ivory black
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, umber, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. The suit is primarily a mix of white, umber, and black, with subtle variations in tone. The tie uses ultramarine blue and white.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·tonal painting
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Creating muddy or dull skin tones.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in value.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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